Olayinka Akinpelu
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has rejected the apology issued by Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, over persistent electricity outages, insisting that he should resign immediately over what it described as continued failure in the sector.
In a statement dated 25 March 2026, the rights group said while the minister’s admission of failure was noted, it “falls far short of the accountability, competence, and urgency required to address the deepening energy crisis that continues to suffocate the Nigerian people.”
The group argued that Nigerians have endured repeated apologies and promises from successive administrations without meaningful improvement in power supply.
CDHR described the minister’s explanation that the crisis is temporary and caused by factors beyond his control as unacceptable, stressing that leadership requires results rather than excuses.
It said assurances of improvement within “two weeks” were unrealistic and mirrored previous unfulfilled projections, adding that Nigerians cannot continue to rely on promises while facing daily blackouts.
The group also questioned the credibility of the minister’s pledge to deliver 6,000 megawatts of electricity before the end of 2026, citing systemic failures, weak infrastructure, and poor policy execution.
According to CDHR, the situation reflects a broader governance challenge, noting that the power sector’s performance undermines the Federal Government’s reform agenda and continues to impose economic hardship on citizens and businesses.
It further accused the minister of lacking direction and urgency, alleging that his focus appears to be on political ambitions rather than addressing the country’s electricity challenges.
The group said this perception has led many Nigerians to describe him as a “Minister of Darkness,” blaming his leadership for the worsening state of power supply.
CDHR maintained that the continued cycle of apologies without concrete action is unacceptable and amounts to neglect of citizens’ welfare.
It therefore called for Adelabu’s immediate resignation, arguing that his continued stay in office would only deepen public frustration and erode confidence in government’s ability to deliver essential services.
The organisation added that Nigeria requires leadership that is accountable and solution-driven, warning that failure to act decisively on the power crisis would further worsen living conditions and economic productivity across the country.
